Police: Vermont dad slow to get help for injured kids

Published November 18. 2013 12:01AM

Strafford, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont man was charged with child cruelty after he walked his two sons more than a mile to a friend's home after a car crash, delaying medical treatment for injuries including broken bones, state police said.

Investigators said Justin Galenski's two sons, ages 4 and 9, did not receive medical attention until the next day following a crash on a snow-covered road the night of Nov. 12. Police said Galenski and his sons walked to the home of a friend of Galenski's, a registered nurse, who helped him assess the injuries.

Police were contacted the following day by the boys' mother, who was concerned about the delayed medical treatment. Injuries included concussions, a broken arm and a broken clavicle, state police said.

Galenski, who was charged Saturday and is due in court next month, said Sunday that he loves his sons and the crash was an accident. Galenski, 40, of Fairlee, said he was advised not to comment further.

"I love these boys. The sun and moon rises with them with me. This was an accident. It was a horrible, horrible night. By no means did I mean to hurt my kids," he said.

State police said they received a report of a car crashing into a tree in Strafford on the night of Nov. 12 but that the vehicle had been removed by the time troopers got there.